Watch Lebanon
- R
- 2010
- 1 hr 30 min
-
6.9 (12,053)
"Lebanon" is a 2009 war-drama film directed by Samuel Maoz. The movie tells the story of four Israeli soldiers who are sent on a mission to Lebanon during the 1982 Lebanon War. The majority of the film takes place inside a tank, which serves as both the soldiers' shelter and their prison. The film opens with the soldiers, Shmulik (Yoav Donat), Assi (Itay Tiran), Hertzel (Oshri Cohen), and Yigal (Michael Moshonov) being ordered to enter the tank and head into Lebanon. They are told that their mission is to clear a path for the Israeli infantry to pass through. As they begin their journey, the soldiers are quickly confronted with the harsh realities of war.
Throughout the film, the soldiers witness and participate in the brutality of the conflict. They are forced to make difficult decisions that ultimately have life-changing consequences. The film captures the sense of claustrophobia and tension that the soldiers experience inside the tank as they struggle to navigate the hostile landscape of war-torn Lebanon.
As the mission progresses, the soldiers' mental states begin to deteriorate. They are haunted by the brutalities that they have witnessed and committed, and the harsh realities of war begin to take a toll on their psyche. They struggle to maintain their sanity in the face of death and destruction.
The film's unique perspective, shot almost entirely from inside the tank, offers a visceral and intense portrayal of war. Throughout the film, the audience is reminded of the soldiers' captivity inside the tank as sound effects of bombs, gunfire, and screams are heard over the radio.
The characters are well-developed and each brings a unique perspective to the film. Shmulik, the driver of the tank, is the most prominent character in the story. He is a young man who is both terrified and conflicted about the war. Assi, the gunner, is a politically-minded individual who is disillusioned with the army and the government. Hertzel, the loader, is a crude and unsympathetic character who revels in the violence of war. And Yigal, the commander, is a reserved individual who struggles to maintain the morale of the group.
Throughout the film, the soldiers must confront their own mortality as they come face-to-face with the reality of war. The film is a powerful commentary on the senselessness and brutality of war and the toll it takes on those forced to fight it.
In conclusion, the film "Lebanon" is a powerful and intense portrayal of war. Through its unique perspective, well-developed characters, and visceral depiction of violence, the film captures the harsh realities of conflict and its toll on the human psyche. While the film is difficult to watch at times, it is a valuable reminder of the devastating consequences of war.
Lebanon is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 85.